NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original Source: www.gulf-times.com, 7th May 2012

http://tinyurl.com/cawsgt7

 

 

 

The Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) Class of 2012 that graduated as full-fledged medical doctors yesterday have been  told to ‘put patients in the centre in order to remain on course’ as they seek to grow in their profession.

 

 

 

In all, 32 students–WCMC-Q’s largest ever graduating class - received a degree of doctor of medicine during the commencement exercises held at the Qatar National Convention Centre. “Medicine is a journey of discoveries that may take you in a direction that you don’t wish to go, but when you put the patient at the centre of everything you do and you see them as the centre of your universe, they will be the compass and the anchor for you to sail ahead in the troubled sea of your profession,” Weill Cornell Medical College’s The Stephen and Suzanne Weiss dean and Medical Affairs provost Dr Laurie H Glimcher told the graduands during a farewell message.

 

 

 

While noting that discoveries in medicine are happening quickly at present, she said: “You are the future of medicine and I wish I could tell you what that future would be like…you have done what only a few people in the world can do and you should be proud for doing it because not everyone can do it.” She expressed optimism and said that the future discoveries in medicine could be ‘exhilarating and a little daunting’, and added that the graduates would be able to cope because they were among the best prepared medical professionals in the world. “I believe you are prepared to face the future because you are smart, curious and open-minded and you are at the centre of a global opportunity and world views that many others don’t have and all you need is to strive, to seek and to never yield,” she advised.

 

 

Dean Glimcher urged the graduands to be aware of the technological challenges which they could face everyday while practising their profession. “As future scientists, take advantage of the advances in technology to boost your knowledge and upgrade your skills, but don’t become slave to it,” she cautioned, adding that “your eyes and ears should be the greatest medical tools you will ever use and be agents of good health as well as that of hope.” 

 

 

The 32 students from some 13 different countries including Qatar, speak around 17 languages and among them 25 are males and seven are females. Their average age is 24 years. Since it was inaugurated in 2002, the WCMC-Q has produced some 112 doctors. Five of the graduands who distinguished themselves by clinching an academic distinction comprised Mohamed M H al-Kazaz from Iraq, Petro Kostandy from Egypt, Shady Raafat Nakhla (Egypt), Farah Ali  Siam from Jordan and Pankit Jaysukh Vachhani from India. Two students, Sanabel Akef al-Akras from Jordan and Hiba Ikram Sheikh from Pakistan graduated with honours in service while Basma Mansour Basha from Egypt received an honour in research.

 

 

Sheikh made a presentation on behalf of the graduates. WCMC-Q dean Dr Javaid Sheikh, who administered the traditional Hippocratic oath on the newest doctors, paid tribute to their dedication and spoke of the role they can play in the future.
“Convocation is a day of immense joy and pride for all the faculty and staff at WCMC-Q. Nothing gives us greater pleasure than witnessing our talented students fulfil their dream of being called ‘doctor’ for the first time.“The Class of 2012 have a passion for learning, a spirit of inquiry and a dedication to the improvement of human lives. Such wonderful attributes have brought these young physicians the rewards that we all enjoy celebrating with them today,” he noted. He advised the graduates to join the international medical community saying: “we are confident that their future contributions to medicine and science will further enhance Qatar’s growing global reputation as a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment.”  

 

 

While addressing the graduating class, Dr Skorton said: “The accomplishments of the graduates and the bright future that awaits them affirm once again the vision and wisdom of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and the Qatar Foundation in seeing education as a pathway to creating a knowledge-based society and a better future for all.”
Other notable guests at the convocation included Qatar Foundation president Dr Fathy Saoud, QF Research and Development president Faisal al-Suwaidi, Weill Cornell Medical College in New York former dean Dr Antonio Gotto and Hamad Medical Corporation Medical Education director Dr Abdul Latif al-Khal.